LAMB, Artemus 1840-1901

LAMB, SMITH, GATES, MCCOY

Posted By: Michael J. Kearney (email)
Date: 12/31/2002 at 09:55:27

The Clinton Daily Herald April 23, 1901 Lafayette Lamb received a message this morning, which stated that his brother, Artemus Lamb, passed away at 4:40 o'clock this morning, at Coronado Beach, Cal. His wife and four children, Garrett E. and M. Dwight, and Mrs. Emma Gates and Mrs. Clara McCoy, were all at the bedside when the final summons came. The news of the death of Mr. Lamb will be no surprise to the residents of this city, as it has been known for a number of days that the end was near. He practically recovered several weeks ago from the injuries he received in the railway accident, and his permanent recovery seem certain. However, heart trouble resulting from his long illness and general debility, and despite all that could be done by medical skill, he gradually grew worse, and the end came at an early hour this morning. By the death of Artemus Lamb Clinton loses one of its best known and most progressive citizens. He was at the head of the Lamb saw mills, the most extensive along the Mississippi river; the president of the Iowa Packing and Provision company, and the president of the People's Trust and Savings bank. He was also largely interested in numerous enterprises of this city and in the pine regions, and had extensive mining interests. By the death of his father, the late Chancy Lamb, being the eldest of the two sons identified with their father in the numerous business enterprises in which he was interested, naturally assumed the responsibility as head of the C. Lamb & Sons' company. He successfully carried on the new duties thus suddenly thrust upon him, and all of the enterprises of which he has assumed the management have prospered to a large degree. His business career commenced in his sixteenth year, when he entered his father's saw mill in this city. After he grew to manhood, he became a member of the firm and for many years was his father's chief advisor in the conducting of the business of C. Lamb & Sons, which developed rapidly and became an important factor in the lumber business in the middle west. But not only has Mr. Lamb been successful in the lumber business, he has been equally successful in all of his business enterprises, and the fact that Artemus Lamb was connected with a business industry was assurance of his success. He was an indefatigable worker and gave the closest attention to every business detail. He was a large employer of labor and was always held in the highest esteem by the hundreds of men in his employ. He believed in paying the laboring man good wages and made the surroundings of those in his pay roll as pleasant as possible, and his death will be mourned by hundreds of working men of this city, some of whom have been in the employ of C. Lamb & Sons for nearly half a century. By the death of Artemus Lamb, the city of Clinton suffers what appears to be an irreparable loss. There was no commendable enterprise, public or private, the he was not always ready to assist, both by financial aid and helpful counsel. He was charitable and many of his kind deeds will be remembered by the countless numbers that he has assisted, known only to those to whom a helping hand was extended. He was a financial power in the city and will be missed, perhaps to a greater extent than any other man in Clinton. Mr. Lamb's death was largely due to an accident which he received in a wreck on a Union Pacific train near Rock Springs, Wyo. At the time of the accident, he was seated at a table in the dining car, which rolled down and embankment. Mr. Lamb was more severely injured than any other person on the train. He was taken to the hospital at Rock Springs, but in a few days was removed to the Hotel del Coronado, Cal., making the trip in the private car of President Burt of the Union Pacific railway company. He was accompanied by the members of his family and the head physician of the Union Pacific railway. He stood the trip well and for a few days showed signs of improvement. However, blood poisoning set in and for several days his life was despaired of and his relatives were summoned to his bedside. Specialists were sent for from San Francisco. After lying in a critical condition for a number of days, he commenced to improve and at one time was apparently out of danger and was able to be about the house. About a month ago he showed symptoms of heart trouble and it was feared from the time that the end was near. At times he showed signs of improvement and messages of hope were wired to anxious ones here, only to be followed by other messages less hopeful. A few days ago the attending physician gave up all hopes of his recovery and the end came at the time stated above. Artemus Lamb was born in Steuben county, N.Y., September 11, 1840. His early days were spent on a farm owned by his father in Carroll county, Ill., where the family moved in 1844. In 1856, he came to Clinton with his parents, and went to work in his father's saw mill, at that time a small concern. In 1865 he became a partner in what is now known as C. Lamb & Sons. He was united in marriage with Henrietta S. Smith of Clinton, Oct. 11, 1865, who, with four children, survive him. They are: Mrs. Marvin J. Gates, Garrett E., James d., and Mrs. R.B. McCoy, all of this city. Burt L. Lamb the youngest son of the deceased, passed away a few years ago. Artemus Lamb was a descendent of Thomas Lamb, who arrived in America from England with Winthrop in 1630, and through his mother's line, from French Huguenots, who sought refuge in Ulster county, N.Y. before the American revolution.

The Clinton Daily Herald Wednesday April 24, 1901 The news of the death of Artemus Lamb was received here Tuesday. His many friends in Camanche regret the final result of the railroad accident that brought about his untimely death. He was a man, highly respected for his uprightness and integrity, by the people of our city. We, together with citizens of his home city, regret that one, possesses of such sterling qualities should be so suddenly removed from the social and business world, where he will be greatly missed. All sympathisers with his family and other relatives who will fell his loss more than us all.